New TV ON DVD, from BATTLESTAR
GALACTICA to WAR OF THE WORLDS, ALIAS and Other New Arrivals!plus: paramount catalog titles,
hammett, battle of britain & more

Quick note before we start this
week: don't forget to check out the Aisle Seat
Message Boards, where we currently have a discussion about
real-life ghost stories going on....in celebration of Halloween, of
course! Don't forget to post
your thoughts and personal experiences...and don't be afraid to do
so!

As we hit November 1st (already?),
the new TV season is certainly off and running. Already a handful of
new shows have proven to be big hits, while a number of older series
(“Smallville” in particular) have seen ratings increases,
almost certainly helped by robust sales of DVD box sets.

Here’s our latest Aisle Seat round-up of new TV on DVD box sets:
from sitcoms to seriousness, sci-fi to the silliest moments of
“The Brady Bunch,” there’s a show (or two) to match
any viewer’s persuasion this month.

VERONICA MARS: SEASON ONE (2004-05). 22 episodes, Warner
Home Video, Aisle Seat DVD
Pick of the Week. WHEN DID IT AIR: Tuesdays, 9pm, UPN. THE
RUNDOWN: Chief among my current favorite shows, Rob
Thomas’ smart, sassy series boasts some of the strongest writing
on the small-screen today. Kristen Bell is a revelation as Veronica
Mars, an enterprising high school student still recovering from the
murder of best friend Lilly Kane. While a man sits on death row
awaiting his execution for Lilly’s death, Veronica attempts to
find out the real culprit behind Lilly’s murder and examines a
number of possible suspects, including her ex-boyfriend (Teddy Dunn),
the immature son (Jason Dohring) of a box-office superstar (Harry
Hamlin), and the school’s resident tough guy (Francis Capra).
Meanwhile, Veronica’s father -- Neptune, California’s
former police sheriff (the wonderful Enrico Colantoni) -- now works as
a local private eye, which enables our heroine to tackle a variety of
other cases along the way. WHY IT WORKS: Fully developed characters and
fresh writing that’s funny and biting without ever becoming
pretentious (something Joss Whedon’s series often had issues
with), “Veronica Mars” is as good as it gets in modern
dramatic television. With a gripping central mystery and episodes that
vary from suspenseful to hilarious, there’s no show currently
more satisfying on TV than this one. Bell’s remarkable
performance and the work of a superb ensemble also make this one of the
most essential DVD box sets of the year. WHAT DOESN’T WORK: Not
much...in fact, the only curse of “Veronica Mars” has been
low ratings. Opposite “Lost,” the series hasn’t
gained much ground in the Nielsens since moving to Wednesdays this
season (it’s improved a little), which means this critically
acclaimed show remains buried to a lot of viewers. DVD FEATURES:
Warner’s six-disc box set offers highly satisfying 16:9 transfers
with 2.0 Dolby Digital soundtracks. Though there aren’t a lot of
special features, over 20 minutes of deleted scenes are on-hand, along
with an elongated edit of the show’s pilot. For the latter alone,
the set comes strongly recommended for fans and first-time viewers
alike. ANDY’S BOTTOM LINE: Given the show’s ratings,
there’s a good chance that most viewers haven’t ever turned
on “Veronica Mars.” If you haven’t, you’re
missing out: this is one enormously entertaining series, far more than
just another “teen” show or even the “modern Nancy
Drew” some have called it. Acting, directing, and writing are
top-notch across the board, making DVD a potential haven for viewers
who missed the series’ first season. If you missed it before, it
goes without writing that you have no excuse now!

BATTLESTAR
GALACTICA: SEASON ONE (2003-04). 13 episodes (plus mini-series),
Universal. WHEN DID IT AIR: Fridays, Sci-Fi Channel. THE RUNDOWN: Smart,
exciting modern remake of the ‘70s sci-fi favorite improves
immeasurably upon its predecessor. The central scenario remains the
same: in a distant galaxy, the long-dormant, robotic Cylons revive to
destroy all remnants of humanity, while the surviving humans -- led by
a reluctant President (Mary McDonnell) and the gruff Commander Adama
(Edward James Olmos) -- try and navigate through the universe to find
Earth...if it actually exists. WHY IT’S WORTH
YOUR TIME: Developed characters, intense dramatic situations that
result from genuine human emotion -- not just special effects -- and
tremendous performances make “Battlestar Galactica” one of
the top series (and not just a genre series, either) on the air today.
“Next Generation” vet Ronald D. Moore spearheaded this
serious reworking of the old Universal series, which die-hard fans of
the old show objected to for about five minutes...until it was clear
that the new version is a far better work of science fiction and
overall drama in every way, shape and form. WHAT DOESN’T WORK:
Sometimes a bit slow moving, “Battlestar Galactica”
doesn’t provide the upbeat enthusiasm of its “Star
Wars”-influenced predecessor. Once you get into it, however, the
series provides a level of character depth and involvement few sci-fi
series have ever achieved. DVD FEATURES: Universal’s five-disc
DVD box set offers exemplary 16:9 transfers and 5.1 Dolby Digital
soundtracks. The original, two-part pilot mini-series is present, along
with the 13 episodes from the “First Season.” Commentaries
from the show’s creators are on-hand for the pilot and nine of
the hour-long episodes, while extras (on disc five) include numerous
behind-the-scenes featurettes, deleted scenes, storyboards and more.
ANDY’S BOTTOM LINE: Whether you disliked or loved the original
“Battlestar Galactica” is irrelevant to one’s
enjoyment of the new “BG.” From Tricia Helfer’s sexy
Cylon to the terrific lead work turned in by Olmos and McDonnell, this
is a rare genre show that reaches dramatic heights that few other
series have ascended to in recent years. Universal’s attractive
box set packages the essential mini-series with the initial 13 series
episodes, making for a highly recommended package all around. A must!

STAR TREK
ENTERPRISE: SEASON FOUR (2004-05). 22 episodes, Paramount. WHEN DID IT
AIR: Fridays, 8pm, UPN. THE RUNDOWN: The fifth incarnation of
Gene Roddenberry’s sci-fi franchise sailed off into the sunset in
its fourth and final year. For the most part, “Enterprise”
had a sturdy final frame courtesy of producer Manny Coto (one-time
director of horror cult classic “Dr. Giggles”), who
attempted to tie-in the series with the original show by way of
references and storylines directly related to the exploits of Kirk,
Spock and the gang. The latter can be felt most evidently in “In
A Mirror Darkly,” a two-part salute to the original
“Trek”’s classic “Mirror, Mirror.” There
are a number of other story arcs which give the show more dramatic
weight than it had before, but most of the good will is kiboshed in the
hugely disappointing series finale, “These Are The
Voyages.” WHY IT’S WORTH YOUR TIME: Fans who gave up on
“Enterprise” missed some of the series’ strongest
hours in its final season. The performances also carry a bit more
urgency, something the early years of the show almost completely
lacked. WHAT DOESN’T WORK: Instead of sending the Enterprise crew
off on a strong note of their own, Rick Berman and Co. opted to have
TNG vets Jonathan Frakes and Marina Sirtis return to reprise their
Riker and Troi roles, with Frakes mugging endlessly and the episode
trying (but failing) to connect the dots between the respective
“Trek” franchises. Needless to say it didn’t work.
DVD RUNDOWN: Paramount concludes their superb “Trek”
packages with a six-disc set sporting superior 16:9 transfers and 5.1
soundtracks. Given that this was the most recent edition of “Star
Trek,” it should come as no surprise that
“Enterprise” looks and sounds better than any of its
predecessors on DVD. Special features are also on-hand, including the
regulation deleted scenes, outtakes, and behind-the-scenes featurettes.
ANDY’S BOTTOM LINE: “Enterprise” had some strong
moments and a likeable cast, but never really seemed to get into a
comfortable groove during its four seasons. Perhaps its worst crime was
that it was simply dull. Too many trips to the well resulted in the
entire “Star Trek” franchise being put into an apparent
hiatus, but one that seems to be a deserved one. A new take and a fresh
creative team are needed to launch “Star Trek” back into
orbit.

WAR OF THE WORLDS: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON (1988-89).
23 episodes, Paramount. WHEN DID IT AIR: Weekends, syndicated to local
affiliates (often paired with “Star Trek: The Next
Generation”). THE RUNDOWN: 25 years after the events of
the original “War of the Worlds,” the dormant alien bodies
that the government rounded up return to life...just in time to
complete the job they didn’t finish in George Pal’s classic
film. Brash scientist Harrison Blackwood (Jared Martin), the surrogate
son of the late Dr. Forrester, teams up with his beautiful new
assistant (Lynda Mason Green) and an initially reluctant army colonel
(Richard Chaves) in tracking down the extraterrestrials, who can now
assume human bodies for a time before they decompose. WHY IT’S
WORTH YOUR TIME: Though highly promoted by Paramount and paired in
syndication with “Star Trek: The Next Generation” on most
local stations, “War of the Worlds” never took off in the
ratings. Now out on video for the first time, this somewhat pedestrian
but well-acted show is a good deal more entertaining than I recall it
being. Martin, Green and Chaves end up developing a decent chemistry
with each other, and the references to the original Pal film (and even
Orson Welles’ 1938 radio broadcast, here designated as the
Martians’ first, failed invasion!) are neat. WHAT DOESN’T
WORK: Despite using the design of the Martians and their ships from the
Pal classic, the special effects are meager at best. The synthesized
‘80s score and modest production values have aged the show from a
technical standpoint as well. DVD FEATURES: Paramount’s six-disc
set includes all 23 episodes (including the 90-minute pilot) from the
show’s first season. The full-screen transfers are fine, in
keeping with the program’s modest production values, and any
softness or grain inherent in the image is almost certainly a product
of the latter. The stereo soundtrack is moderately effective.
ANDY’S BOTTOM LINE: Not groundbreaking or especially memorable,
“War of the Worlds” serves up a modestly entertaining
continuation of the original 1953 movie with amiable performances often
compensating for sub-par production values and mostly routine scripts.
Unsurprisingly, the show didn’t last for long: it returned for a
second year by abruptly killing off two of its key characters and added
a different group of aliens trying to invade the Earth (and fans,
naturally, weren’t happy). Paramount’s set offers a
satisfying presentation of this seldom-seen series, which ought to be
of interest for sci-fi aficionados and fans of the original film.
Recommended in spite of its production’s shortcomings.

THE BRADY
BUNCH: COMPLETE FOURTH SEASON (1972-73). 23 episodes, Paramount. WHEN
IT AIRED: Fridays, 8pm, ABC. THE RUNDOWN: Wilder, wackier, less
grounded in reality...that just about sums up the fourth and
penultimate season of “The Brady Bunch” on the ABC
airwaves, which opens with the immortal three-part trip to Hawaii. Yes,
it’s an epic, Brady style: the fam takes a vaco while Mike
(Robert Reed) oversees a construction project. While groovin’ to
some mellow tunes and hitting the surf, Bobby encounters an ancient
Tiki idol that brings all kinds of bad luck with it, including a guest
appearance by Vincent Price! As if the presence of that must-have story
arc isn’t enough, Season Four also offers other Brady essentials
such as “Today, I Am A Freshman,” “Cyrano De
Brady,” “Fright Night” (a classic Halloween episode),
“Jan, The Only Child,” “Career Fever,”
“Everyone Can’t Be Benedict Arnold” (Peter branded a
traitor), and “The Subject Was Noses.” The latter episode
offers a guest star turn from future Spidey Nicholas Hammond and served
as the basis for plenty of laughs in the later “Brady Bunch
Movie.” DVD FEATURES: No supplements but high-quality full-screen
transfers are on the docket here from Paramount. Once again, the studio
has done an exceptional service to all Brady fans by including the
rarely-seen, full-length broadcast episodes, which haven’t been
screened since their original ABC runs. Great stuff. ANDY’S
BOTTOM LINE: Brady Bunch fans owe it to themselves to pick up Season
Four. Though the show became more slapstick over time, it also loosened
up, let its hair down (or, in the case of the Brady men, got their
coiffures permed), and created some of the more indelible moments in
Brady Bunch lore. Paramount’s DVD presentation once again gets
the job done and comes highly recommended for all Bunch aficionados!

THE JEFFERSONS: COMPLETE SEASON 4 (1977-78). 26 episodes,
Sony. WHEN DID IT AIR: Wednesdays, 8:30, CBS. THE RUNDOWN: One
of TV’s all-time funniest sitcoms became even more entertaining
in its fourth season on the airwaves. Despite the passing of
George’s mother Olivia (Zara Cully) late in the season, a new
character was added to the cast in the form of Marcus Garvey (Ernest
Harden, Jr.), an employee at George Jefferson’s new store in the
lobby of their building. For the most part, though, the one-liners and
situations are just as amusing in the show’s fourth season as
they ever were, with the series’ formula in peak form. The
three-part “George and Louise in a Bind” was originally a
90-minute “flashback” episode filled with scenes from not
just “The Jeffersons” but the characters’ initial
appearance on “All in the Family.” DVD FEATURES:
Sony’s latest “Jeffersons” box set offers three discs
of competent full-screen transfers and mono sound. A one-page insert
includes a brief synopsis of each episode. ANDY’S BOTTOM LINE: I
grew up on “The Jeffersons” and, unlike a lot of sitcoms I
liked as a kid (“Gilligan’s Island,” anyone?), the
show is still hilarious today. Sony’s DVD includes solid
transfers for one of the show’s more “vintage” and
wholly satisfying seasons. Recommended!

DARK SHADOWS:
THE REVIVAL SERIES (1991). 12 episodes, MGM/Sony. WHEN DID IT AIR:
Fridays, 10pm, NBC. THE RUNDOWN: Dan Curtis tried to revive his
original day-time soap with a new, prime-time “Dark
Shadows,” but the results were nowhere near as successful the
second time around. A strong cast including Jean Simmons, Roy Thinnes,
Lysette Anthony, Michael T. Weiss, and Adrian Paul were among those who
stepped into the roles vacated by the original DS cast, but this NBC
series lasted only three scant months on the airwaves. Perhaps the
problem was in Ben Cross’ resident vampire Barnabas Collins, who
never projects the kinds of menace or sexual energy one would associate
with the role, and Joanna Going basically going nowhere in the plum
dual role of Victoria Winters and Barnabas’ lost love, Josette.
Production values on the series were high -- with decent special
effects, Bob Cobert music, and directors including Curtis and future
“X-Files” helmer Rob Bowman -- but the remake of
“Dark Shadows” was not long for this world. (Don’t
worry, fans: another version is in the works!). DVD FEATURES: The
prints are in decent shape, but why in the world did MGM opt to master
this 1991 series in 16:9 widescreen? There’s no way “Dark
Shadows” would have been framed for widescreen, so this move to
placate 16:9 TV owners comes at the expense of the series’
original 1.33 aspect ratio. No special features are included.
ANDY’S BOTTOM LINE: Fairly entertaining, this short-lived revival
would have been more satisfying on DVD had the
show been framed in its proper full-screen ratio. Why things like this
keep happening are anyone’s guess, but it’s a
disappointment on an otherwise competent, no-frills box set from MGM.

ALIAS: COMPLETE
SEASON 4 (2004-05). 22 episodes, Buena Vista. WHEN DID IT AIR:
Wednesdays, 9pm, ABC. THE RUNDOWN: Secret agent Sydney Bristow
(Jennifer Garner) is back -- and once again wrapped up in a myriad of
story lines, including a growing relationship (of the romantic kind)
with partner Michael Vartan, the emergence of her half-sister Nadia
(Mia Maestro) in the “Black Ops” squad that Sydney now
finds herself a part of, and the bizarre appearance of ex-villain Ron
Rifkin, now leading that very group! WHY IT’S WORTH YOUR TIME:
Solidly acted, occasionally witty, and always intriguing,
“Alias” is a unique series that gets back on-track in
Season Four after a poorly received third season. WHAT DOESN’T
WORK: Alas, creator J.J. Abrams’ action-adventure-thriller has
gotten itself tangled in its own strange narrative web to the point
where -- if you’re not a long-time “Alias” viewer --
it’s difficult to plunge into a new episode and garner much
satisfaction from the show. The series’ depth, then, is both a
blessing (for fans) and a curse...for everyone else. DVD RUNDOWN: Buena
Vista’s six-disc set includes an ample amount of bonus content,
including an interview with Jennifer Garner, deleted scenes, bloopers,
numerous interviews and more. The 16:9 enhanced transfers and 5.1 Dolby
Digital soundtracks are all top-notch for the small-screen.
ANDY’S BOTTOM LINE: “Alias” devotees will find Buena
Vista’s DVD presentation to be highly rewarding, thanks to its
copious supplements and strong technical presentation.

KOLCHAK - THE
NIGHT STALKER: The Complete Series (1974-75). 20 episodes, Universal.
WHEN DID IT AIR: Fridays, 10pm, ABC. THE RUNDOWN: Fresh off a
pair of top-rated TV movies, Darren McGavin’s irascible reporter
Carl Kolchak soon settled into his own weekly series. Though not as
well-received as Dan Curtis’ original tele-films (“Night
Stalker” and “Night Strangler”), there’s plenty
of entertainment to be found in Kolchak’s 20 one-hours, including
run-ins with Jack the Ripper, a voodoo priestess, extraterrestrials,
vampires, werewolves, The Devil himself, a Native American medicine
man, a headless motorcyclist, a Bayou “bogeyman,” and a
crocodile-like creature...the latter guest starring Tom Bosley! WHY
IT’S WORTH YOUR TIME: “Kolchak” set the standard for
numerous genre series that followed, including Chris Carter’s
“The X-Files.” Forget the current modern-day remake: the
“old school” Kolchak is as hip as they come, with
McGavin’s engaging persona making for the perfect counterpoint to
the weekly supernatural goings-on. WHAT DOESN’T WORK: The series
quickly settled into a formula and never lives up to the precedent
established by its two, Richard Matheson-penned predecessors. Though I
enjoyed catching up with the episodes I hadn’t viewed before,
it’s fairly evident why “Kolchak” wasn’t
renewed for subsequent seasons. DVD RUNDOWN: Universal’s
three-disc box set includes all 20 episodes from
“Kolchak”’s first and only season. The full-screen
transfers look to be in decent condition -- a bit worn but unsurprising
given how little the full series has been screened over the years. The
mono sound, sporting a moody theme by Gil Melle, is in similar shape.
ANDY’S BOTTOM LINE: Entertaining in spite of its silliness,
“Kolchak” has at last arrived on DVD in a quality box set
from Universal. McGavin’s performance anchors the series through
its strongest (and weakest) hours, and fans ought to be more than
pleased with the series’ DVD box set.

ALFRED
HITCHCOCK PRESENTS: SEASON ONE (1955-56). 39 episodes, Universal. WHEN
DID IT AIR: Sundays, 9:30, CBS. THE RUNDOWN: The esteemed
director stepped into television with this marvelous, long-running
anthology series. The half-hour, self-contained stories ranged from
lighthearted to deadly serious, offering turns from a variety of stars,
writers and directors, and all framed by humorous introductions by The
Master himself. In its best moments,
“Alfred Hitchcock Presents” is representative of some of
the finest of ‘50s television -- a remarkable achievement given
the wealth of quality on the broadcast spectrum at that time. The
episodes collected here include: Revenge, Premonition, Triggers in
Leash, Don't Come Back Alive, Into Thin Air (also known as The
Vanishing Lady), Salvage, Breakdown, Our Cook's Treasure, The
Long Shot, The Case of Mr. Pelham, Guilty Witness, Santa Claus and the
10th Avenue Kid, The Cheney Vase, A Bullet for Baldwin, The Big Switch,
You Got to Have Luck, The Older Sister, Shopping for Death, The
Derelicts, And So Died Riabouchinska, Safe Conduct, Place of Shadows,
Back for Christmas, The Perfect Murder, There Was An Old Woman,
Whodunit?, Help Wanted, Portrait of Jocelyn, The Orderly World of Mr.
Appleby, Never Again, The Gentleman from America, The Babysitter, The
Belfry, The Hidden Thing, The Legacy, Mink, Decoy, The Creeper, and
Momentum. DVD RUNDOWN: The set’s packaging is rather plain (some
information about the respective episodes would have been welcome), but
Universal has included a bonus featurette, “Alfred Hitchcock
Presents: A Look Back,” offering comments from Pat Hitchcock,
producer Norman Lloyd and assistant director Hilton A. Green. Some
viewers have reported trouble with Universal’s DVD-18 (dual layer
discs glued together) format, which was utilized in this set. All I can
tell you is I’ve yet to have an issue with any of
Universal’s discs, though readers on The Aisle Seat forum will
tell you otherwise. The black-and-white transfers look to be in decent,
satisfying condition. It has also been noted that, in many cases,
Hitchcock’s introductions and epilogues have been trimmed
slightly, to edit out the sponsor names of that particular show, but
it’s not a major problem (some long-time fans, however, have
reported other Hitch sequences being edited for no apparent reason
here). Whatever you do, however, make sure to bypass the episode
summaries, which precede the individual shows and divulge the twists
for most episodes! ANDY’S BOTTOM LINE: One of the best
anthologies produced for television, this three-disc box-set offers
ample value for your viewing dollar (the set retails for under $30 in
most outlets), and a decent package (sans an insert) to boot.

JEOPARDY: An
Inside Look At America’s Favorite Quiz Show! (2005). Aprx. 101
minutes, Sony, available November 8th. THE RUNDOWN: Merv
Griffin’s game show empire began with this still-running viewer
favorite. In this single-disc DVD from Sony, host Alex Trebek takes you
behind the scenes with a look at how the ever-popular syndicated series
is produced, offering ample footage and interviews with the
show’s unheralded behind-the-scenes staff. One episode is even
included with five different angles available for your viewing
disposal, while five full shows are also on-hand: Trebek’s first
“Jeopardy!” from the current incarnation’s beginning
in 1984; all-time champ Ken Jennings’ losing 75th episode (how
did he ever write “FedEx” in that Final Jeopardy answer?
Looks to me like he might have just wanted out!); and the three-part
“Ultimate Champions” show, which was culled from the recent
airwaves. Other extras include additional featurettes giving the
“Jeopardy!” fan all they ever wanted to know about how the
show is manufactured. ANDY’S BOTTOM LINE: Fun for fans. I may be
wrong but -- if memory serves -- this is the very first game show
released in the DVD medium. Sony’s DVD approaches the subject
matter from the angle one would anticipate, giving the viewer a decent
(but not exhaustive) examination of what makes “Jeopardy!”
tick. The multi-angle feature is fun but the quality of video presented
is poor, making the most entertaining element of the DVD being the
inclusion of five full episodes. If you’ve seen them before,
well, there’s always a new show somewhere on the dial later on
this evening. Paramount Catalog
Titles: Noir and More

WARNING SHOT (***, 1967, 99 mins.; Paramount): After
pulling the trigger on a mysterious man with a gun who turns out to be
a seemingly benevolent L.A. doctor, cop David Janssen is suspended from
the force. The District Attorney (Sam Wanamaker) wants him to hang for
his reckless behavior, but Janssen believes there’s more to the
mystery of the doctor’s whereabouts than initially appears.

One of several late ‘60s attempts at updating a ‘40s
“film noir,” “Warning Shot” boasts a number of
“Guest Star” supporting turns, including Joan Collins (as
Janssen’s soon-to-be ex-wife), Carroll O’Connor (the
judge), Eleanor Parker (the late doctor’s floozy of a bride), Ed
Begley (Janssen’s boss at the precinct), Stefanie Powers (the
doctor’s office nurse), Steve Allen (a local talk show host),
Lillian Gish (a possible witness), and George Grizzard (playboy pilot)
among them. Producer-director Buzz Kulik was never particularly
renowned for his artistry, but “Warning Shot” is an
effective, no-frills action-thriller. TV veterans Kulik and writer Mann
Rubin (adapting a Whit Masterson novel) fashion a taut late ‘60s
piece with a solid performance from Janssen and a swingin’ jazz
score by Jerry Goldsmith that’s infectious at every turn.

Paramount’s DVD presentation of this entertaining period piece is
superb: the 1.85, 16:9 enhanced transfer is in excellent condition and
the mono soundtrack swells with Goldsmith’s memorable soundtrack,
still one of his most satisfying “unreleased” works.

Frederic Forrest stars as author Dashiell Hammett, hired by an old
friend (Peter Boyle) to track down a missing girl in Chinatown...but
nothing is as straightforward, of course, as it seems.

Wim Wenders made his American debut directing this evocative period
piece, with splendidly atmospheric sets by Dean Tavoularis and an
appropriately jazzy score from John Barry. Alas, “Hammett”
was beset by production problems, including the first version of the
movie being mostly discarded. Brian Keith was replaced by Boyle after
the initial production was deemed to be a disaster, while Ronee
Blakeley and Sylvia Miles originally played major roles, both ultimately excised altogether from the
“second” version of the movie. Meanwhile, Ross Thomas and
Thomas Pope re-worked Dennis O’Flaherty’s initial
screenplay (adapted from Joe Gores’ book), with Philip Lathrop
coming aboard to supervise new cinematography (Joseph Biroc shot
Wenders’ original version).

“Hammett” is sort of a sleepy film: filled with marvelous
attention to detail and a moody Barry score, it nevertheless struggles
to capture the viewer’s attention. It’s unfortunate that
Zoetrope wasn’t involved in the DVD’s supplements, since
the opportunity was here to screen the never-before-seen first version
of the movie with Brian Keith. The mystery over what happened to
Wenders’ initial cut of “Hammett” remains one that
the author himself would have found to be a puzzling one. (Note: click here for a PDF
file that includes the original cast and synopsis of the movie before
it was re-filmed).

SAVE THE TIGER
(**, 1973, 100 mins., R; Paramount): Jack Lemmon deservedly
copped an Oscar for his performance as a beleaguered businessman
watching the American Dream fade away in writer Steve Shagan’s
often pretentious diatribe against “The System.” Directed
by John G. “Rocky” Avildsen, “Save The Tiger”
is a film that hasn’t aged well: the movie’s then-liberal
use of profanity (hear Jack Gilford drop an f-bomb!) and adult themes
were shocking to audiences used to seeing Lemmon play light comedy
roles, but these days, the movie comes across as little more than a
watered-down “Death of a Salesman.” Still, as a product of
its time, “Save The Tiger” provides an intriguing view, and
Lemmon’s superb, layered performance remains one of his finest.
Paramount’s DVD offers a crisp, vibrant 16:9 transfer and
satisfying mono soundtrack, along with a commentary with Shagan and
Avildsen -- one that’s in many ways more interesting than
watching the film itself.

DETECTIVE STORY
(***, 1951, 103 mins.; Paramount): Dated is one word to
describe William Wyler’s 1951 adaptation of Sidney
Kingsley’s stage play, starring Kirk Douglas as a hardened NYC
detective who has to cope with a number of problems. Chief among those
is the growing tension between he and wife Eleanor Parker, who harbors
a shameful secret, and a bevy of everyday cases, including an early
role for Lee Grant as a shoplifter and future 007 villain Joseph
Wiseman as a petty thief. Robert Wyler (older brother of the director)
and Philip Yordan adapted Kingsley’s play, retaining the taut
dialogue and dramatic situations that were quite frank for their time
-- something you have to keep in mind since any episode of “Law
and Order” is more graphic than “Detective Story.”
What keeps the film worthy of viewing are the performances, including
William Bendix (as a precinct detective), Wiseman, Grant, Parker, and
Douglas as the uncompromising protagonist, whose tough-guy antics mask
a bitter and despondent personality. Paramount’s full-frame
black-and-white transfer is in excellent condition, as is the mono
soundtrack.Also New on DVD

Innocuous modern update to the Herbie formula puts Lindsay Lohan
through the standard issue paces of stars like Dean Jones and Don
Knotts before her: into the front seat of the little, adorable
Volkswagon Buggie with a mind of his own. Yes my friends, Herbie is
back...and he’s back big! OK, maybe not that big --
“Herbie: Fully Loaded” managed to gross a respectable $61
million or so at the box-office last summer, not a bad amount
considering its comparatively weak opening weekend.

This sometimes amiable remake from director Angela Robinson also stars
Michael Keaton as her NASCAR driving dad, Justin Long as a member of
their crew, Breckin Meyer as Lohan’s brother, and Matt Dillon
chewing up the scenery as the heavy. The Thomas Lennon-Robert Ben
Garant script was reworked by “Smallville” scribes Alfred
Gough and Miles Millar, who try and develop the Keaton-Lohan
father-daughter relationship as the centerpiece of the movie. This
leaves Long, Meyer and Dillon without much to do, while the movie seems
a bit unsure as to whether to go for the slapstick laughs of its
predecessors or adhere to the confines of a more traditional family
drama. Either way, the film is slight and forgettable but still
provides inoffensive entertainment for youngsters.

Disney’s DVD offers an alternate opening and numerous deleted
scenes with commentary from Robinson, who also provides a talk
throughout the movie. Bloopers, a Lohan music video, and several Behind
the Scenes featurettes round out the disc.

Being able to watch a movie
and choose, on the fly, between two different soundtracks is something
that most soundtrack lovers can only dream about. Just imagine watching
Something This Way Comes and being able to flip between Georges Delerue
and James Horner's respective efforts; selecting from Alex North's 2001
or Stanley Kubrick's mix of the contemporary and classical; or turning
off Horner's “Troy” in favor of Gabriel Yared's superb
unused score.

While such opportunities are limited, viewers overseas have had the
rare chance to watch the 1969 WWII epic “Battle of Britain”
with either Ron Goodwin's score from its original theatrical release,
or William Walton's original music, which was -- with the exception of
the climactic "Battle In the Air" cue -- entirely discarded. Now that
release has arrived on this side of the Atlantic, with MGM’s
domestic 2-DVD Special Edition newly available in stores.

Much has been written about the two scores over the years, and recent
CD re-issues from Rykodisc and Varese have coupled Goodwin and Walton's
scores on the same platter, allowing for closer examination by
listeners. Nothing, though, approaches the thrill of being able to
actually watch “Battle of Britain” with Walton's score
having been properly mixed back into the film, and seeing it intact,
on-screen, for the first time.

Decidedly more classical in approach, Walton's music may be stiffer and
less accessible than Goodwin's comparatively upbeat, march-laden
offering. However, Walton's music does give the picture a greater depth
dramatically than Goodwin's, being more mature and relatively
introspective. There are also a few scattered instances of Walton
scoring scenes that Goodwin opted not to and vice versa, though for the
most part, both works are utilized sparsely during the course of the
132-minute film.

The mere fact that you can choose between the two scores is an
educational and altogether fascinating feature for film score scholars
and aficionados. Unfortunately, while the overseas Special Edition
offered both scores in 5.1 DTS and Dolby Digital, the domestic DVD
offers the two scores only in 5.1 Dolby Digital, which may disappoint
some audiophiles.

The remaining supplements on MGM’s new DVD are a straight
reprisal of the overseas release: a solid commentary track with
director Guy Hamilton, aerial sequence director Bernard Williams and
historian Paul Annett; the “Battle For The Battle of
Britain” documentary, and three featurettes plus an animated
photo gallery. The 2.35 (16:9 enhanced) transfer seems to be a hair
better than its previous DVD release as well.

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